# Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

> The Abyssinian ground hornbill is a turkey-sized black bird that walks through the grassland in pairs or small family groups. Murchison Falls is one of the best places in Uganda to see it. It is classed as Vulnerable.

Source: https://nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/abyssinian-ground-hornbill

Bird · Resident

*Bucorvus abyssinicus*

## In brief

The Abyssinian ground hornbill is a turkey-sized black bird that walks through the grassland in pairs or small family groups. Murchison Falls is one of the best places in Uganda to see it. It is classed as Vulnerable.

## How to identify the Abyssinian ground hornbill

Black with white wing tips that show in flight, a long, heavy bill with a short open casque on top, and long eyelashes. The male has blue skin around the eye and a red throat pouch with blue at the top; the female's bare skin is entirely dark blue.

## Where to see the Abyssinian ground hornbill in Murchison Falls National Park

In the open grassland of the northern bank, especially along the Buligi game tracks between the Victoria Nile and the Albert Nile.

## Habitat

Open savanna and dry grassland with scattered trees.

## What the Abyssinian ground hornbill eats

Small animals found on the ground: tortoises, lizards, snakes, large insects and spiders, with some carrion, fruit and seeds.

## Behaviour

It spends most of the day walking and takes to the air only when it must. The call is a deep booming, heard at dawn.

## Best time to see the Abyssinian ground hornbill

All year. Resident, here all year.

Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Further reading: [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abyssinian_ground_hornbill). Photographs: Internet photo.

## At a glance

- **Scientific name**: Bucorvus abyssinicus
- **Family**: Bucorvidae (ground hornbills)
- **Also called**: Northern ground hornbill
- **Presence**: Resident, here all year
- **Best time to see it**: All year
- **Chance of seeing it**: Often seen
- **Size**: 90–110 cm long
- **Conservation status**: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)

Seen on

- [Game Drives](https://nilesafarilodge.com/activities/game-drives)
- [Bird Watching](https://nilesafarilodge.com/activities/bird-watching)
- [Nile River Cruises](https://nilesafarilodge.com/activities/nile-river-cruises)

[Plan your stay](https://nilesafarilodge.com/contact?topic=Accommodation+and+reservations#enquire)

Or call [Whatsapp: +256 757 363362 Landline: +256 776 938 933](tel:+256757363362+256776938933)

## Questions about the Abyssinian ground hornbill

### How do you tell a male from a female Abyssinian ground hornbill?

The male has a red inflatable throat pouch with blue on the upper throat and blue skin around the eye. The female is a little smaller and all her bare skin is dark blue.

## The Abyssinian ground hornbill in our journal

- [Murchison Falls National Park: A Bird Watcher’s Paradise](https://nilesafarilodge.com/journal/murchison-falls-national-park-a-bird-watchers-paradise) (Wildlife & Nature 10 May 2025, 2 min read): Nestled in the heart of Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is more than just a haven for iconic wildlife; it’s a bird watcher’s dream come true. With over 450 bird species soaring through its vast skies…

## More birds

- [Saddle-billed Stork](https://nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/saddle-billed-stork) (Bird · Resident): The saddle-billed stork is the tallest stork in Africa: black and white, with a red bill crossed by a black band and topped by a yellow "saddle". In…
- [Northern Carmine Bee-eater](https://nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/northern-carmine-bee-eater) (Bird · Migratory): The northern carmine bee-eater is a brilliant pinkish-red bee-eater with a blue-green head and long tail streamers. It moves within Africa with the s…
- [Red-throated Bee-eater](https://nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/red-throated-bee-eater) (Bird · Resident): The red-throated bee-eater is a small green bee-eater with a scarlet throat and buff underparts. It nests in colonies in the sandy cliffs of the Nile…

[All birds](https://nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/birds)

---

Nile Safari Lodge, Southern bank of the River Nile, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. Telephone Whatsapp: +256 757 363362              Landline: +256 776 938 933. Email info@nilesafarilodge.com. Reservations: https://nilesafarilodge.com/contact